Super Eagles out to claw Sable Antelopes to boost Afcon dream

Nigeria will tussle it out with Angola in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal encounter to be played at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Friday. Kick-off is at 7:00 pm CAT, live on SuperSport.

CURRENT FORM

The Super Eagles secure their spot in this round of the tournament after defeating Cameroon 2-0 in the Round of 16 on 27 January courtesy of Ademola Lookman's brace.

Nigeria are enjoying a four-match unbeaten run across all competitions with the three-time Afcon champions having recorded three successive victories and one draw.

Meanwhile, Angola reached this stage after thrashing Namibia 3-0 in the Round of 16 on 27 January with Gelson Dala grabbing a brace before Mabululu netted the third goal.

The Black Sable Antelopes are now unbeaten run in their last nine matches across all competitions having registered six successive draws and three consecutive wins.

Our opponent in the quarters are the Palancas Negras of #Angola.
We keep working! #SoarSuperEagles #LetsDoItAgain #OurAfcon #Afcon2023 #AfricanFootball pic.twitter.com/59p43p7Los

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 30, 2024

TEAM NEWS

Nigeria could be without the duo of Stanley Nwabali and William Troost-Ekong who have been nursing injuries.

On the other hand, Neblu will be missing as Angola's first-choice goalkeeper is suspended after being sent off during the game against Namibia.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro

“I am telling them that we are only in the last eight, that we still have some way to go and that the farther we go, the tougher the opposition becomes," Peseiro said.

"We have played four matches and won three, so we must keep level heads as we go forward. Our philosophy is that there are no small teams here at the Africa Cup of Nations. Every team qualified to be here, and every team in the knockout phase qualified from a group phase.

"Any team in the last eight is good enough for the trophy. We believe we are good enough for the trophy, but we must continue working and putting out our best on match days.”

Angola head coach Pedro Gonçalves

“Nigeria has a very large squad for this Afcon," Gonçalves said.

"If we take into account the market value of each team’s squad or even the starting eleven, we’ll have an idea of the disproportion in perspective.

"What counts in soccer is, above all, competence on the pitch at the exact moment of the competition. We are aware of our qualities, and we are well aware of our ambition.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ademola Lookman, Nigeria: The Atalanta BC attacker has become a key player for the Super Eagles having grabbed two goals and one assist in this tournament, and he will be keen to continue his good form when he faces Angola.

Gelson Dala, Angola: The 27-year-old attacker, who has been named Man of the Match twice in this tournament, will carry the Black Sable Antelopes' hopes of reaching the semifinals with Dala having netted four goals in four games.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Angola and Nigeria have met 10 times across all competitions. The Super Eagles have registered three wins compared to the Black Sable Antelopes' two victories while five games ended in a draw.

The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 2-1 win in favour of Nigeria in the 2018 Chan match played in Morocco in January 2018.